Hospitals turning to latest steam trap technology

The healthcare sector is increasingly struggling to address serious maintenance concerns within its estate. Backlog maintenance is one of the most pressing issues facing the NHS and other care providers, and for many sites the bill for it runs into the millions of pounds. Here, Sam Mawby, Technical director at Thermal Energy International, discusses the role that steam systems play, and what new technologies are available to help hospitals minimise backlog maintenance. 

Backlog maintenance, also known as deferred maintenance, is the overdue essential work required to bring a building or asset up to standard. It includes everything from updates to the building fabric, to the condition of the equipment used within it. This means the list is long, varied, and costly. Heating and hot water systems are some of the largest maintenance drains on a hospital. Within these systems, everything from the pipework and heat exchangers to the heat sources – be it boilers, combined heat and power (CHP) equipment, or heat pumps, need to be regularly assessed, repaired, or replaced. This involves a sizeable investment from the hospital both in terms of time and money, so it is understandable that maintenance managers in the sector are struggling to beat the backlog. Nonetheless, facilities need to prioritise maintaining these systems, as they are integral to the running of a hospital. A fit-for-purpose heating and hot water system supports applications such as heating, and domestic hot water (DWH) for washing, cooking, sterilisation, and hygienic laundry processes. In the case of operating theatres, downtime in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and water systems can affect critical care, and even lead to increased waiting times. Simply put, without it a hospital cannot function – putting patients and staff at risk. 

Full steam ahead